Timothy W. Blakely
Tim is managing partner of Morrison & Foerster’s Hong Kong office. He is also head of the firm’s Hong Kong Litigation Department. Tim’s practice focuses on government and internal investigations and complex commercial litigation and international arbitration matters.
Tim represents companies and individuals in, among other matters:
- Government investigations
- Regulatory enforcement proceedings
- Internal investigations
- International arbitrations
- Securities class action lawsuits
- Complex dispute-related matters
- Regulatory compliance issues
Tim has represented multinational and Chinese clients in various industries, including telecommunications, biotechnology, publishing, pharmaceuticals, and financial services.
Tim also is a member of both the firm’s FCPA + Global Anti-Corruption and Global Ethics + Compliance teams. He conducts internal investigations throughout Asia of potential violations of anti-corruption laws, leads pre-acquisition anti-corruption-related due diligence and post-closing remediation, and regularly provides advice, counseling, and training to clients about FCPA and anti-corruption related issues.
Tim has deep experience representing companies and individuals in high-stakes contentious matters involving U.S. and Hong Kong law. Before relocating to Hong Kong in 2011, he spent 10 years practicing in New York and California, handling fraud, misrepresentation, breach of contract, securities litigation, investment disputes, commercial arbitration, and enforcement-related matters, from inception through trial. His practice continues to have a strong U.S. nexus, and he regularly advises clients facing disputes and enforcement actions originating in the U.S. and involving U.S. law.
As a Hong Kong solicitor, Tim has been instructed by clients in key contentious proceedings and arbitration-related matters before Hong Kong courts, as well in proceedings with Hong Kong regulators and statutory tribunals. He has advised clients in investigations by, inter alia, the Securities & Futures Commission, and in proceedings before the Telecommunications (Competition Provisions) Appeal Board. He regularly acts for clients in Hong Kong-seated, international arbitration proceedings.
Chambers Asia-Pacific quotes clients saying that Tim “is incredibly intelligent and always well prepared. He is an excellent interviewer and his depth of knowledge of the subject matter is outstanding” and that he “knows Western practices but also appreciates and understands the peculiarity of Chinese laws and practice.”
Experience
Leading PRC-listed Chinese appliance manufacturer’s HKIAC arbitration
Represented a leading PRC-listed Chinese appliance manufacturer in HKIAC arbitration arising out of long-term distribution contract with Israeli company.
Fortune 100 financial services company’s Hong Kong and PRC court proceedings
Represented a Fortune 100 financial services company in Hong Kong and PRC court proceedings concerning challenges to an ICC arbitration award in US$500 million dispute.
Chinese investors’ international dispute
Represented Chinese investors in international dispute over ownership of China real estate project, with ongoing legal proceedings in the Caribbean, Hong Kong, and China.
Hong Kong and Chinese investors’ insider trading litigation by SEC
Represented Hong Kong and Chinese investors in insider trading litigation being prosecuted by the SEC in the Southern District of New York.
In re JDSU Securities Litigation
Fortune 500 company’s potential FCPA-related internal investigation
Represented a Fortune 500 company in internal investigation of potential FCPA-related issues related to transaction with Chinese SOE.
Hong Kong-based investment fund’s Hong Kong SFC investigation
Represented a Hong Kong-based investment fund in Hong Kong SFC investigation into alleged violations of the Securities and Futures Ordinance.
U.S.-listed Chinese company’s SEC and DOJ investigations
Represented a U.S.-listed Chinese company in SEC and DOJ investigations involving allegations of fraud and other potential violations of U.S. securities laws.
Fortune 500 corporation’s internal investigation
Represented a Fortune 500 corporation in internal investigation of whistleblower allegations of corruption in China and Hong Kong.
Hong Kong-listed Chinese company’s internal investigation
Represented a Hong Kong-listed Chinese company in internal investigation of potential violations of listing rules and policies concerning insider dealing.
Major multinational corporation’s pre-acquisition FCPA and anti-corruption DD
Represented a major multinational corporation in conducting pre-acquisition FCPA and anti-corruption due diligence for investment in Chinese retailer.
Leading investment fund’s pre-acquisition FCPA and anti-corruption due diligence
Represented a leading investment fund in conducting pre-acquisition FCPA and anti-corruption due diligence for acquisition of business with significant operations in China, Thailand, Japan, and Mexico; designed and implemented post-closing risk assessment and remediation program.
Fortune 500 corporation’s remediation, integration and training
Represented a Fortune 500 corporation in conducting remediation, integration, and training program for newly acquired China-based publishing business.
Major multinational corporation’s pre- and post-signing DD and remediation
Represented a major multinational corporation in connection with pre- and post-signing due diligence and remediation related to transfer to joint venture of business line with operations in Europe, China, Japan, and SE Asia.
Singapore-listed company’s pre-acquisition anti-corruption due diligence
Represented a Singapore-listed company in conducting pre-acquisition anti-corruption due diligence for acquisition of business in an emerging Latin American country; implemented post-closing training and remediation program in Asia and Latin America.
Rankings
Ranked: Dispute Resolution: Litigation (International Firms)
Chambers Global 2023
Recommended: China: Intellectual Property: Foreign Firms
Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2023-2024
Ranked as Investigations Global Leader
Who's Who Legal Global Leader - GIR 2022
Ranked as one of only five Hong Kong-based Investigations Thought Leaders
Who’s Who Legal: Thought Leaders – Mainland China & Hong Kong SAR – GIR 2021-2022
Ranked as Investigations Thought Leader
Who’s Who Legal: Thought Leaders – GIR – Investigations 2021-2022
Recommended for Mainland China & Hong Kong SAR – Arbitration, and Business Crime Defense & Investigations
Who’s Who Legal: National Leader – GIR 2021-2022
Recommended for China Dispute Resolution: Litigation: Foreign Firms
Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2019-2025
Ranked: China Corporate Investigations/Anti-Corruption
Chambers Asia-Pacific 2019 - 2021
Ranked: China Corporate Investigations/Anti-Corruption (International Firms)
Chambers Greater China Region 2022-2025
Recommended: China Regulatory/Compliance: Foreign Firms
Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2020-2025
Ranked as a leading lawyer in China for Corporate Investigations/Anti-Corruption
Chambers Global 2019-2023
Named to the inaugural “40 Under 40” list of the world’s leading investigations lawyers
Global Investigation Review 2014
Listed as leading lawyer
Who’s Who Legal Investigations 2019-2021
Ranked as Litigation Star: Hong Kong: White-Collar Crime; Commercial and Transactions
Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific 2021-2022
Ranked as Litigation Star: Hong Kong: Dispute Resolution; White-Collar Crime; Commercial and Transactions
Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific 2020
Ranked: China Dispute Resolution: Litigation (International Firms)
Chambers Greater China Region 2022-2025
Recommended: Hong Kong Dispute Resolution: Litigation
Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2022-2025
Recommended: Hong Kong Regulatory: Anti-corruption and Compliance
Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2022-2025